The way local authority children's services are inspected is set to undergo major change from January 2018, with Ofsted planning to move to a more proportionate system that focuses on councils that are already struggling.

Inspectorate's annual report on children's social care services flags up concerns over leadership, safeguarding, caseloads and support for care leavers, while a consultation outlines its plans for a new inspection system.

Stretched resources, raised expectations and distrust among the social care sector are some of the problems to hit Ofsted recently. Children's services experts outline what the inspectorate needs to do to get back on track.

It seems wholly appropriate for an organisation charged with
rebuilding the reputation of children's services in Slough that it will be doing so from offices next door to those of the giant Lego corporation.

As Ofsted figures reveal that only 14 of 59 children's social care services assessed under the single inspection framework were rated as "good", CYP Now looks at three local authorities that have impressed inspectors.